Bump Update: 35 Weeks

03/26-04/01

How far along? 35 weeks

Size of baby: 17+ inches, 5+lbs

Milestones: Sullivan will now be gaining about 1/2lb every week until birth! 

Total weight gain: Well... now that's a funny story... LOL. I weighed myself yesterday morning to be able to update this blog and I was SHOCKED to see I was 234!!! I simply couldn't believe I had GAINED FOUR POUNDS IN A WEEK! I chalked it up to my growing tummy, a busy weekend, and spending a lot of time on the couch because I had felt pretty sick. Soon after weighing, I got sick... I mean, feeling REALLY sick. Walter had me call the doctor, and she told me to come in. Long story short, I was very low on fluids and potassium. We spent almost 7 hours in the hospital while I was attached to an IV to have two huge bags pumped into me. That night, after using the restroom for the 100th time I decided to weigh myself again after joking about how bloated I felt! After hopping off the scale the weight that had appeared registered in my mind and it stopped me in my tracks. Not only had I gained four pounds in one week, I had gained ANOTHER FIVE POUNDS THAT DAY! :O I'm sure most of it is fluid weight that won't be staying, but I think it's hilarious that on this blog I get to 'clock in' at NINE POUNDS heavier than last week (+9 conception weight)!

Maternity clothes: This week I spent 99.9% of it in yoga pants, a T-shirt, and a sloppy bun. Like I said, just feeling drained and sick.

Unglamorous body changes: Nothing new

Sleep: I'm getting less and less... God is preparing me for little man's arrival!

Best moment this week: Honestly? Leaving the hospital. It was the best I had felt in DAYS, and I was just so thrilled to be out of there! I know a few mommas on bed rest at the hospital, and they were on my mind most of that day. I am so lucky to have a healthy baby and to be able to go home and rest on my own couch.

Miss anything? I would give up ANYTHING for this baby and not miss it. 

Movement: Sometimes he moves so much, I feel almost seasick... like I can't get my balance!

Food cravings: yeah... still crab rangoon :)

Anything making you queasy/sick? His crazy movements!

Gender: It's a BOY! Sullivan James Wallheimer 

Labor Signs: BH

Symptoms: achy body, fatigue, and a few headaches

Belly button in or out? Still in... but it's looking pretty crazy!

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy... and anxious... and anxious-er!

Weekly wisdom: So often we say things without thinking and it's hurtful to others. I hope/pray/plan to think a little harder before I say something or post a facebook status update. Sometimes what we're thinking is meant to be heard by an understanding spouse/friend and not read by 500 friends on Facebook. Yeah, I'm speaking from experience that sometimes those facebook statuses hurt to read. You've been 'unfriended' 'friend'! :/

What stereotype I embody: I embrace the waddle. It's really the only way to get around. 

What I bought this week: My MIL bought and sent us our new travel system, and my mom sent us our monitor! It's been such a great week being busy putting these things together, setting them up, and pretending Sullivan is here!

What I checked off my to-do list: I've done some research on the remaining items we need and I'll soon have everything we need (or at least all I can think of for now)! lol

Looking forward to: Our final ultrasound Thursday! Praying for a healthy baby!

Bump Update: 34 Weeks

03/19-03/25

How far along? 34 weeks

Size of baby: 17+ inches, 5+lbs

Milestones: Sullivan will now be gaining about 1/2lb every week until birth! 

Total weight gain: I have finally hit my conception weight! Right now I am +/-0 pounds!

Maternity clothes: I got to wear my baby shower dress this week! I got busy and didn't get to try it on beforehand, so I was a little nervous... but I really did love how it looked! The perfect color for our 'shower' theme!

Unglamorous body changes: Stretch marks abound! lol

Sleep: I'm not going to lie, it's getting hard... I'm still very thankful and blessed however.

Best moment this week: How could I not say my baby shower?! It was one of the best days of my life with so much love and encouragement from old friends, new friends, and family! Britney did a BEAUTIFUL job and it will definitely be a day I never forget! Actually, the whole weekend was pretty amazing. Brooke, a friend I met on IG and have spent a lot of time on the phone with, drove all the way from Ohio on Friday with her husband to spend the weekend with me and attend my shower! Also something I'll never forget. :) ALSO (like this week could get any better, but it does!!!!) we got to have another (YES, ANOTHER) ultrasound to see Sullivan's sweet face thanks to my dad. :) I really do have the best family in the world, and Sullivan will soon find that out too!

Miss anything? I would give up ANYTHING for this baby and not miss it. 

Movement: Walter has caught my tummy looking pretty alien-like, and his face says it all! Haha! It's been so fun, knowing that's my son!

Food cravings: still crab rangoon, and warm bread :)

Anything making you queasy/sick? Not really. I found a perscription prenatal I was talking before IVF to prepare my body and I switched over to them. I can take them and feel fine, so I've been working on that!

Gender: It's a BOY! Sullivan James Wallheimer 

Labor Signs: BH

Symptoms: achy body, fatigue, and a few headaches

Belly button in or out? still in :D

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy... and anxious

Weekly wisdom: Family is not always blood.

What stereotype I embody: Walter teases me about how often I just pull up my shirt, sit, and watch my son move around in my tummy. Though I don't pull up my shirt, he laughs at me when he catches me doing this just about everywhere. I had no idea how much I really do do it!

What I bought this week: I promised Walter I would hold off on buying until after the shower, and then (the day after), IT. WAS. ON! :) I was very lucky and hardly had ANY duplicates to return, and I had so many gift cards! I bought a few of the smaller items we needed, like: a changing pad, toys, extra sheets, etc and still have a little more to go, but we are getting there!

What I checked off my to-do list: Well, like I told my best friend Britney... the shower is done, the house is 'prepared' (I can bring him home now, but REALLY wouldn't mind organizing/cleaning for another week or so!)... so now the 'next big thing' is... LABOR! :S

Looking forward to: Our last ultrasound next week!

Brooke

THE GOODS!

WOW! Thank you guys!!!

My sweet son, and his smiling face :)

Bump Update: 33 Weeks

03/12-03/18


How far along? 33 weeks

Size of baby: 17+ inches, 4+lbs

Milestones: Sullivan will now be gaining about 1/2lb every week until birth! 

Total weight gain: Slowly gaining weight... now I'm only 2lbs under my conception weight! I may actually starting gaining 'NEW' weight soon! lol

Maternity clothes: I wore a new shirt that I had bought and hadn't go to wear yet to another maternity photo session... and I'm kinda loving it. :) Starting to wonder what if I can keep wearing some of my maternity clothes long after birth... lol.

Unglamorous body changes: Dry skin, stretch marks, but really nothing new or nothing I can't handle! ;)

Sleep: Still extremely hit or miss, but I'm still feeling majorly blessed in the third-trimester-sleep department!

Best moment this week: I had another maternity session with a friend who lives just a few blocks over! I was so excited to be able to be her first maternity shoot with her new business, and the 'sneak peek' photos I've gotten have been AMAZING!

Miss anything? I would give up ANYTHING for this baby and not miss it. 

Movement: I read the other day that no more amniotic fluid will be added to my tummy, it'll just be baby growing from this point out making all his bumps and kicks (etc) more and more prominent on the outside! It seems like every other day I'm shocked by how much my tummy really contorts! lol

Food cravings: Popsicles, crab rangoon, and Sprite

Anything making you queasy/sick? Still my prenatals, but I'm doing my best in taking them!

Gender: It's a BOY! Sullivan James Wallheimer 

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks have definitely picked up! It's been crazy! Exciting, and a little scary too, not knowing what I should expect or what is 'normal'.

Symptoms: hunger and fatigue!

Belly button in or out? For those of you betting... it's still IN!

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or moody most of the time: ALWAYS happy... sometimes moody... but just keep me rested, fed, filled with Tylenol, and close to a bathroom and I'm good to go! 

Weekly wisdom: The things we take for granted are the things other people are praying for.

What stereotype I embody: Everyone has been commenting that I'm 'glowing'! I tell them it's happiness beaming out. :) 

What I bought this week: Still trying to hold onto a promise I made Walter that I would stop buying until after my shower... and then what I don't get... LET SHOPPING BEGIN! 

What I checked off my to-do list: Gave the candy bar supplies to my sister and she took them in to the venue lady to set up for the shower! I am so excited!

Looking forward to: Ultrasound tomorrow!!! Annnnnnd- of course!- MY BABY SHOWER!!!

Photos by Erin Storm:

Photos taken by Rachel Paolucci:

Bump Update: 32 Weeks

03/05-03/11

How far along? 32 weeks

Size of baby: 17+ inches, 4+ pounds. (Think of a laptop screen or a large pineapple!)

Milestones: Sullivan will now be gaining about a 1/2lb every week until birth! (Meaning Mommy will be gaining at least one pound a week until labor!)

Total weight gain: I keep inching closer to my pre-pregnancy weight of 230, but I'm still not there! At 32 weeks pregnant I'm still 4lbs under! I've felt really good losing the 'fat' even though it's been replaced by baby weight and I think it's going to be an awesome inspiration to lose the weight after baby! My goal is to be under 200 by the end of the year! That's something I haven't even dreamed possible since 2008!

Maternity clothes: I'm starting to feel sad that I'll soon no longer get to wear my maternity clothes! It's funny how just maternity clothes have changed the way I think about getting ready! Having 5-10 outfits I adore and feel good in have made getting ready easier, and has been awesome. I plan to clear out my closet soon and get rid of a lot of clothes I've been hanging on to.

Unglamorous body changes: Getting a few more stretch marks and my skin is still very dry on my tummy. Trying to moisturize often.

Sleep: I really can't complain :) It's not always a restful 8 hours, but I feel wrong for asking for that right now. :) I sleep when I can and Walter has been really supportive in that (and because he uses that time to game while he still can!).

Best moment this week: Taking maternity photos with my sister was a blast. It went more smoothly than I thought it would. The weather wasn't what we had planned on, so we made some last minute changes and hope to take some more later. Getting pedicures rocked too! I had no idea they could get even better pregnant! ;)

Miss anything? I would give up ANYTHING for this baby and not miss it. 

Movement: Alright, so I've given up on consistent kick counts. I know he's an active lil guy and I think I'll be able to rely on my momma's intuition on if something feels wrong. Walter and I have been really enjoying watching our lil guy squirm inside my tummy and watching my tummy wave like the ocean. :)

Food cravings: Cheese, bread, and pasta

Anything making you queasy/sick? My prenatals are still rough on me, but my OB said it was okay to only take them every other day or so until birth so I'm a little more relaxed about it.

Gender: It's a BOY! Sullivan James Wallheimer 

Labor Signs: A few random contractions I think, but nothing serious.

Symptoms: slight cramping, round ligament pain, intense hunger, lactation 

Belly button in or out? For those of you betting... it's still IN!

Wedding rings on or off? On for maternity photos!

Happy or moody most of the time: Walter told me this week I've been a little more 'on edge' and I've realized he's right... but luckily he's a great guy dealing with me 

Weekly wisdom: Time is fleeting. 

What stereotype I embody: I'm the obnoxious pregnant momma I always hated when TTC and I can't help it. I'm so happy! I want to take bump photos everywhere, I'm constantly allowing others to touch my tummy, and talking about my baby that is soon on his way! Sorry friends! :/

What I bought this week: Walter and I did hire a dog trainer for obedience training for the pups to work with them and get them ready for baby. It was a painful bill to pay, but I have a feeling we won't regret it! I'm trying to buy nothing else until after the shower (except the POUNDS and POUNDS of candy for the shower favors!).

What I checked off my to-do list: Started working on the favor bags for the baby shower (favors are my only job for the shower because I wanted to say thank you!), maternity photos were taken, started thinking about what to get together for a hospital bag, and am trying to get the 'nesting bug'... but it's just not here yet. lol

Looking forward to: Meeting Sullivan's pediatrician tomorrow, and getting to have another fun ultrasound next week (Thanks to my Daddy)!

Pregnancy Must Haves

Pregnancy Must Haves by daughterofhisimage

A friend and blog I follow made a 'Pregnancy Must Haves' list and I thought it was a wonderful idea! You can check out hers here.

1) Tank Tops- I luckily had a few really good and stretchy tank tops from Old Navy because of working at Starbucks, and they were lifesavers! I wound up buying more, and buying a few that were maternity as well from Old Navy and I loved them. I wore one almost every day. They were perfect under both maternity and my normal shirts to help stretch over my tummy and give me a little extra coverage. 

2) Lotion- My skin usually airs on the dry side during winter months, and with this pregnancy it has gotten out of control! I am constantly slathering on lotion. My favorites were Aveeno and Jergens because the smells were not as overpowering and because neither left me feeling greasy. 

3) Slip-on Shoes- I have three pairs of shoes that I've worn for the whole pregnancy and I've adored not being able to work hard on getting them off/on (especially in the third trimester). I have a pair of black ballet flats, a pair of slip-on sneakers, and knee-high boots that I pull on. These three shoes have worked with any outfit I've wanted to wear during my pregnancy and have been really comfy. 

4) Yoga Pants- I almost never want to stop wearing maternity pants, though I know I'll have to, but a simple pair of yoga pants have been great for days around the house, running errands, and mid-afternoon napping!

5) Beach Towel- Tease me if you want, but I've used a beach towel for getting out of the shower the last few months! When a normal towel wasn't wrapping around my belly and staying 'closed' while I dry my hair and put on make-up, my husband suggested a beach towel. After pretending to be offended and laughing at him, I thought to try it. I will definitely be keeping this up until I'm back to regular-towel size, lol.

6) Cardigans- It's a good thing these are in no particular order, or cardigans would be #1! I've dressed in lots of layers, and have been able to use all my cardigans I have from before pregnancy to keep me warm. A tank top, maternity shirt, and cardigan have been my 'staple outfit'. I have a couple from Maurices that I love, and I didn't feel bad about buying another 2 or 3 because I'll be able to use them again.

7) Water Bottle (and MIO)- I'm not a fan of water. I will admit it. However, it's been easier on me to fill up a water bottle and drink from the straw throughout the day. Water always tastes better from a straw, and even better with some MIO added to it. It contains sucralose which my OB approved and said it was better than Crystal Light. I've even been using the Great Value Wal-Mart brand recently because they have a delicious Raspberry Lemonade!

8) Snoogle- This pregnancy body pillow was $80! Before owning one I would say there was NO WAY I would pay $80 for a pillow I would 'only use during pregnancy'. Despite my stubbornness, my MIL took me to Babies R Us for my birthday in December and bought me this pillow for my gift. It really is like a cloud! Walter teases me often about stealing it for himself, and I told him I now would have NO problem buying a second one because it is the only thing that helps me sleep. With Walter on one side and my Snoogle on the other, sleep has been pretty great for being a pregnant woman. 

9) Body/Face Exfoliators- As previously mentioned, my skin has been so dry and itchy because of the winter months and pregnancy. It felt really good sitting in the warm tub and giving my skin and good scrub, and it was definitely necessary to scrub my face with one often to stop the peeling!

10) Thin Belt- A thin belt for right above my bump has been one of my favorites. I bought one in black and one in blue (Yay for Team Blue!) to put on with my shirts that didn't around have something built in to make them more empire-waist. When I feel like a shirt just isn't looking right with the bump, I've added a belt and it is all of a sudden this adorable maternity-style outfit.